In Brentwood, 40 miles east of Manhattan, a Long Island Rail Road train recently collided with a car that was attempting to drive past a crossing gate, causing a massive fire that killed both the car driver and passenger. Their remains were burned beyond recognition, which has prevented identification thus far.
According to Metropolitan Transit Authority authorities, the empty but fast-moving train was almost at the Brentwood station shortly after 10 a.m. when the car was rounding the crossing gate. The engineer sounded the train's horn and applied emergency brakes, but the train could not stop in time. The train engineer and two crewmen were unhurt in the mass transit accident.
MTA officials have speculated that the car driver, described as Hispanic, was preoccupied with a cellphone. A bicyclist who witnessed the crash said the driver never stopped before trying to maneuver around the crossing.
Service between Brentwood and the Ronkonkoma station was disrupted for several hours after the crash.
Victims of subway or train accidents who seek compensation for damages can consult a New York legal professional for help. In the event of negligence on the part of a transit worker, a mass transit accident can turn into a case of premises liability or municipal liability.
The assistance of a legal professional can be crucial in determining whether MTA personnel were responsible for mistakes that led to an accident. Victims may receive monetary reparation for injuries, pain and suffering and lost wages. Furthermore, litigation could also expose inept employees and safety practices that could be corrected and provide safer and a more secure train system for commuters.
Source: Timesunion.com, "LI train hits car on tracks, killing 2" Mar. 15, 2013
No Comments
Leave a comment